My First Taste of Colcannon
I first tried this dish in a tiny Irish kitchen. My friend Maeve was making it. The smell of bacon and onions filled the air. I still laugh at that day. I asked if I could have just a small bite. I ended up eating a whole bowl! That’s the magic of this Irish Colcannon recipe. It turns simple things into comfort. It’s mashed potatoes with cabbage, but so much more. The bacon makes it smoky and rich. Doesn’t that smell amazing just thinking about it? Have you ever tried a food that surprised you this way?What is Colcannon, Really?
Colcannon potatoes are a hug in a bowl. They are creamy mashed potatoes mixed with soft, sweet cabbage. We add crispy bacon and fried onions too. Every forkful is soft, salty, and a little sweet. It’s the best side dish for a chilly day. This matters because food is about more than eating. It’s about feeling cared for. This traditional Irish Colcannon has fed families for generations. It makes cheap ingredients feel special and fancy. That’s a good lesson for any cook. *Fun fact: In Scotland, a similar dish is called Rumbledethumps!*How to Make Colcannon
Let’s talk about how to make Colcannon. It’s an easy Colcannon recipe. First, boil your chopped potatoes until they are soft. While they cook, fry the bacon in a pan. Save that tasty bacon grease! Now cook the onions and cabbage in that same pan. Mash the hot potatoes with a little milk, salt, and pepper. Then, fold in your bacon and the cooked cabbage mix. That’s it! You just made potatoes with bacon and cabbage. What is your favorite part of the process? Is it frying the bacon or mashing the potatoes?Why This Dish Matters
This dish matters because it tells a story. Long ago, it was a humble farmhouse meal. It used what people had: potatoes, cabbage, and if they were lucky, a bit of bacon. Making it connects us to those cooks from the past. I think about that every time I make it. It’s also one of the best St. Patrick’s Day recipes. But you don’t need a holiday to enjoy it. It turns a regular Tuesday into something cozy. Do you have a family recipe that makes you feel this way?Your Bowl of Comfort
Here is my favorite serving tip. Put your Colcannon with bacon in a big bowl. Make a little well in the center. Place a big pat of soft butter right in that well. Let it melt into a golden pool. Serve it hot and watch it disappear! This final touch makes it extra rich. The butter mixes into the hot potatoes and cabbage. It brings all the flavors together. It’s the traditional way to finish this perfect comfort food. Will you give the butter well a try when you make yours?Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bacon | 3 slices | Cooked until slightly crisp, then crumbled |
| Small red potatoes | 2 pounds | Chopped into 1″ pieces |
| Napa cabbage | 1/2 small head (about 4 cups chopped) | Chopped small |
| Yellow onion | 1 small (about 3/4 cup chopped) | Chopped small |
| Milk | 1/3 cup | |
| Kosher salt | To taste | |
| Freshly ground black pepper | 1/2 teaspoon | |
| Butter | 2 tablespoons | Soft or melted, for serving |
Instructions
Step 1: Boil your chopped potatoes in salty water. They are ready when a fork slides in easily. This is the heart of any good Colcannon potatoes recipe. I love the steam that clouds my glasses. (Use red potatoes for the best texture in your mashed potatoes with cabbage.)
Step 2: Cook the bacon in a skillet until it’s crispy. Save that tasty grease. Now, cook the onion and cabbage in it. Doesn’t that smell amazing? Season them well as they soften. This makes the best Traditional Irish Colcannon.
Step 3: Drain your potatoes and put them back in the warm pot. Mash them right away. Gently stir in the milk, salt, and pepper. Now, fold in your bacon and cabbage mix. What’s your favorite mix-in for mashed potatoes? Share below!
Step 4: Scoop your Colcannon with bacon into a bowl. Make a little well in the center. Place your butter right in that spot. Watch it melt into a golden pool. This Easy Colcannon recipe is pure comfort food, ready to serve hot!
Creative Twists
This Traditional Irish Colcannon is wonderful as-is. But you can play with your food! Try adding a handful of shredded cheddar cheese for a gooey twist. Use kale instead of cabbage for a different green. Mix in some green onions for a fresh, sharp bite. Which one would you try first? Comment below!
Serving & Pairing Ideas
This How to make Colcannon guide isn’t complete without serving ideas. It’s a perfect St. Patrick’s Day recipe next to roasted sausages. For a lighter meal, serve it with a simple green salad. I love a sprinkle of extra black pepper on top. Which would you choose tonight?
Keeping Your Colcannon Cozy
Let’s talk about keeping your colcannon happy. This dish stores beautifully in the fridge. Just pop it in a sealed container for up to four days. You can also freeze it for a month. Thaw it in the fridge overnight when you’re ready.
Reheating is simple. Warm it in a pot on the stove with a splash of milk. Stir it gently over low heat. I remember my first big batch. I felt so clever having dinner ready for days!
Batch cooking like this matters. It turns a busy weeknight into a cozy one. You get a homemade meal in minutes. It feels like a gift to your future self. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!
Simple Fixes for Common Hiccups
Every cook faces a few little problems. Here are easy fixes. First, soggy cabbage. Do not overcook it. Just wilt it in the pan for five minutes. This keeps a nice texture.
Second, bland potatoes. Season your water well with salt. It matters for flavor from the inside out. I once forgot this step. My potatoes tasted like little clouds of nothing!
Third, gluey mashed potatoes. Do not over-mash them. A gentle fold is all you need. This matters for fluffy, light colcannon. It builds your cooking confidence. Which of these problems have you run into before?
Your Quick Questions, Answered
What is the traditional way to make colcannon?
The traditional Irish Colcannon recipe mixes mashed potatoes with cooked cabbage or kale. Onions are fried in butter or bacon fat. Everything gets folded together. A well of butter is made in the center for dipping. It is a simple, hearty dish. This is the classic way to make Colcannon for St. Patrick’s Day recipes or any chilly night.
Can you add meat to colcannon to make it a main dish?
Yes! Adding meat makes it a full meal. Our recipe is for Colcannon with bacon. The crispy bacon gets mixed right in. You could also stir in leftover ham or sausage. The salty meat pairs perfectly with the creamy potatoes and cabbage. This turns your mashed potatoes with cabbage into a satisfying dinner everyone will love.
What are the best potatoes to use for colcannon?
Waxy potatoes like red potatoes are best for Colcannon potatoes. They hold their shape when mashed. This gives your dish a wonderful texture. You do not want it too smooth. Fluffy russet potatoes can get too gluey. Sticking with red or Yukon Gold potatoes makes for the best, most authentic Easy Colcannon recipe.
How do you keep cabbage from getting soggy in colcannon?
Do not cook the cabbage too long. Saute it just until it wilts. It should take about five minutes. Season it with salt as it cooks. Then, drain your potatoes very well before mashing. *Fun fact: In Scotland, a similar dish is called Rumbledethumps!* These steps keep your cabbage tender, not soggy, in your Potatoes with bacon and cabbage.
What can I substitute for kale in colcannon?
Green cabbage is the most common swap. Napa or savoy cabbage work great too. They are softer and cook quickly. You could also use spinach or Swiss chard. Just wilt them in the pan at the end. Any hearty green works in this flexible Traditional Irish Colcannon. Use what you have in your kitchen.
Are there any shortcuts for making a quick bacon and cabbage colcannon?
Use pre-chopped cabbage from the store. Cook your bacon in the microwave. Use leftover mashed potatoes. This is a great shortcut. Just warm the potatoes, then fold in cooked cabbage and bacon. You will have a delicious How to make Colcannon dinner in no time. It is all about making it work for you.
Which tip will you try first?
From My Kitchen to Yours
I hope you love this recipe as much as I do. It is pure comfort food. It always reminds me of family gathered around the table. Cooking should be joyful, not stressful.
I would love to hear about your cooking adventure. Did your family enjoy it? Did you add your own twist? Have you tried this recipe? Tell me all about it in the comments below.
Happy cooking!
—Grace Ellington.
Hearty Bacon and Cabbage Colcannon
Description
Irish Colcannon ~ Potatoes with Bacon and Cabbage
Ingredients
Instructions
- Place the potatoes in a pot, along with enough water to cover them. Add 2 teaspoons salt to the pot and bring to a boil. Simmer until the potatoes are fork tender, about 15-18 minutes.
- While the potatoes are boiling, cook the bacon in a skillet over medium high heat. When the bacon has browned and is slightly crisp, remove to a paper towel lined plate. Reserve about a tablespoon of the bacon grease and drain the rest. Leave the rest of the drippings in the skillet. Add the onions to the hot skillet with the bacon grease and saute over medium high heat for 1-2 minutes, until they are lightly browned. Add the cabbage and toss lightly while it sautes and wilts, about 5 minutes. Season generously with salt and pepper as it cooks.
- Drain and place the potatoes back in the hot pot. Place the pot back over the still-warm burner (or if your stove is gas, set the heat to the lowest setting). Mash the potatoes over very low heat and add the milk, 1/2 – 1 teaspoon salt and pepper. Fold in the cooked and crumbed bacon, cabbage, and onions. Transfer to a serving bowl, form a small well in the center and fill with the butter. Serve hot. Enjoy!
Notes
- For a richer flavor, you can use the full amount of bacon drippings. For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and use olive oil to sauté the vegetables.